Enough
I was reading in the book of John this morning, chapter 14, one of my favorites, when I noticed, or rather happened to pay attention to, verse 8. In case you don't recall right off the top of your head, Jesus has just comforted the disciples with a promise to be with them again in the mansion He would prepare. He tells them He is going away and for now, they cannot come. But He promises He will return. Of course they, being human, have questions. So, our Lord continues with "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Philip's response is so typical of us: "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."
I can almost hear the frustration as Messiah says, "Don't you know me?" After being with these men for almost three years, after all the teaching about His Lordship, after seeing the lame walk, the leper cleansed, the blind see and the demons cast out, not to mention the dead raised, do you still not know Him? The disciples had been privy to much knowledge. Though according to John 20:9, they still did not understand the resurrection, it is obvious they believed Jesus was indeed the Messiah. They believed He was God's Son. They believed He called them for a purpose. They had been both called and commissioned. They had been given gifts of healing. Twelve of them helped pick up many baskets of food, remnants from five small fish and two loaves. Three of them witnessed Him conversing with Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration. One of them walked on the water with Him. Yet, it was not enough.
Aren't we the same way? Do we not witness His power and majesty in everyday's sun rising and sun setting? Do we not feel His love for us when the blessings are showered down upon us day in and day out? Do we not experience His blessings when in the midst of others who are His, we worship in song and prayer and hear His Word proclaimed? Do we not count on His promise of forgiveness, as we go through our daily lives fraught with stumbles and mistakes? Do we not rest our hope and get our ability to persevere from the promise of heaven eternal? Have we not felt His comforting hand, calming our tortured spirit when life seems dark and bleak?
Isn't this enough? Are we like Philip, still asking for more? Have we too, been oblivious to God living around us, being with us, dwelling in us? Have we been less than thankful for all He does for us? Have we walked through our daily lives, holding our heads high as if all we have, we are responsible for attaining? Have we sat comfortably in our pews, participating in worship and left the message at the church building?
We have a Father who loves us--enough to die for us. We have a family, a community of believers who are all journeying along with us. We have a message, a ministry of reconciliation to be shared with our entire world. We have the promise of life eternal with our Creator. Don't you think that should be more than ---- enough?
Peace
Neva
I can almost hear the frustration as Messiah says, "Don't you know me?" After being with these men for almost three years, after all the teaching about His Lordship, after seeing the lame walk, the leper cleansed, the blind see and the demons cast out, not to mention the dead raised, do you still not know Him? The disciples had been privy to much knowledge. Though according to John 20:9, they still did not understand the resurrection, it is obvious they believed Jesus was indeed the Messiah. They believed He was God's Son. They believed He called them for a purpose. They had been both called and commissioned. They had been given gifts of healing. Twelve of them helped pick up many baskets of food, remnants from five small fish and two loaves. Three of them witnessed Him conversing with Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration. One of them walked on the water with Him. Yet, it was not enough.
Aren't we the same way? Do we not witness His power and majesty in everyday's sun rising and sun setting? Do we not feel His love for us when the blessings are showered down upon us day in and day out? Do we not experience His blessings when in the midst of others who are His, we worship in song and prayer and hear His Word proclaimed? Do we not count on His promise of forgiveness, as we go through our daily lives fraught with stumbles and mistakes? Do we not rest our hope and get our ability to persevere from the promise of heaven eternal? Have we not felt His comforting hand, calming our tortured spirit when life seems dark and bleak?
Isn't this enough? Are we like Philip, still asking for more? Have we too, been oblivious to God living around us, being with us, dwelling in us? Have we been less than thankful for all He does for us? Have we walked through our daily lives, holding our heads high as if all we have, we are responsible for attaining? Have we sat comfortably in our pews, participating in worship and left the message at the church building?
We have a Father who loves us--enough to die for us. We have a family, a community of believers who are all journeying along with us. We have a message, a ministry of reconciliation to be shared with our entire world. We have the promise of life eternal with our Creator. Don't you think that should be more than ---- enough?
Peace
Neva
posted by Neva | 9:58 AM
27 Comments:
Sometimes, we are less than greatful aren't we?
I hope we will learn to be the family we are called to be. Or, do we just want to put the fun in dysfunctional?
This is a good post Neva. We often forget that God has given us everything--everything we need. We always keep trying to get more. For us enough never seems to be enough.
Dan
I like the idea--maybe you could expand on it--like when Jesus in the garden said two swords was "enough" and when God told Moses to tell the Israeilites they had brought "enough" for the tabernacle.
Just an idea
Dean
I have often wondered what it would take to make us really live like we believe God's word. Would we be running around saying "give us a sign, give us a sign" when we are surrounded by them? Thank you for these thoughts--they spurred me on to others.
Keep up the good work
Yvonne
i think you are right, it ought to be enough.
good thought
Carlos
Neva, this is so good, I am one of those who is always looking for more, always striving for more, always wanting more and you have touched my heart with this reminder. Thank you
Pat
it is similar to CS Lewis discussion in the Great Divorce of the old lady who says, "all I need..."
talking about how she wants her bread toasted...
You are right!
Enough is enough. We learn to be satisifed.
Jean
Our society teaches that the more we get the better off we are. Christians must stand up to this lie.
We have the One who matters, Jesus. Nothing else is worth having.
Thanks for this post.
Paula
Sometimes I think the apostles were SO slow. But in my harshness I know I'd have been right there among them saying the very same things.
It's easy for me when I've read the "rest of the story" ahead of time.
This same thing could be said about grace---how much is enough? It says His grace is sufficient but we continue our sinful lives needing more and more and asking for more and more. How much is enough?
Yvonne
I am like Trey, I sometimes think the apostles had to be just dumb and then I realize they didnt yet have the rest of the story.
Good post, sis
Shari
Neva,
You are such an encouragement. Your words bless me and help me be a better christian. I am gratful. Thank you.
Karin
The promise of eternal life---priceless!
Good post
Lyndsay
Neva, I tried to post earlier but it didn't seem to make it. It wouldn't let me log in, kept asking for a password. Anyway, wanted you to know I am still praying for you and your family. Hope things are better. I read your blog every day and am always uplifted. Talk to you soon.
Love
Rachel
Are we greedy or just dumb? Maybe we are blinded by the pleasures of the world. I dont know why we just can't seem to get it. Interestingly at the end of the world, God will send Jesus back to get us. He may even say, that's it, Ive had enough!
still reading,
Interested Bystander
So true, God help us in our ungreatfulness to be satisfied.
James
Neva,
I have been reading your comments on several other blogs and thought I would check yours out. You are very inspirational. I admire your spirit and am very proud to call you a sister.
thank you
Hi Neva.
Firstly, many thanks for your comments and encouragement to one of my posts.
I see you are a licensed christian counsellor. I pray God continue to bless you in your work for Him and His people.
I had an addiction to drink for most of my life, until through ways and means I could not dream of or put together I ended up in a church one Sunday evening.
My struggle had only just begun. Almost two years later I was close to suicide or dying of alcohol poisoning. It was a matter of days before either one got me.
I finally made christian rehab and it was there that God worked a miracle in my life.
That was in 1995. Since then I have worked with that ministry in the inner cities of London, Manchester, Scotland. I now live in Scotland, have married and with God I have all I ever needed or will need.
The ministry left Scotland, I stayed and joined a church up here.
Enough for now. I will be back.
Just Passing Through.
God Bless.
a very good post! and it should be enough,
thanks for the visit!
huggs
Neva
I have been following a discussion regarding sin and church leaders and was so impressed by your comments. Your Christlike spirit is evident in your words. I also am very thankful for unconditional and total forgiveness, for without it I would still be lost. Just wanted you to know that your light is shining brightly.
Neva- your words prick my heart and rightly so. There are so many times I "forget" to see the wonders God has granted me with seeing. Too often I am taking these things for granted. In my heart I know what ever he has blessed me with is way more than I deserve- it is just getting my head to catch up! Thanks for the wonderful reminder to let God be enough
Too many times I find myself asking for more and more instead of being grateful for what I have and what I have is enough.
Good post.
Carol
The summer of 2000 I was given the 'long face' with 3 months max to live; I had a rare fast spreading cancer.
After 18 months of chemo, 27 days of radiation, mastectomy, hysterectomy, 2 staph infections, 1 blood infection, a damaged heart from all the treatment..... Here I set in March of 2007.
At that point in my life I saw God and time as I had never grasped them before. Every spring blossom, blade of grass, bird, little child’s antics, smile, early morning, sunset. . . . The list goes on . . . saw so precious and ‘enough.’
I have tried to hold on to all the blessings that God gave through the cancer. I tried to hold on to the ‘enough.’ But time has a funny way of stealing those from you and mixing up priorities.
I am amazed that God gives more and more even when a little should be enough.
Good thoughts,
RaeAnn
ps-I read all the time, I just don't comment every time.
Hi Neva,
Thank you for visiting my blog and blessing me.You are always welcome to my blog.
You write well, I know God gives you the ideas to do so and encourage whoever reads.
Thank you for your ministry.
God Bless you and I hope to see more of your posts.
Love
Godzheart
Neva,
I agree with what many have already said. They didn't know the rest of the story, but we do and we still do not always recognize God's blessings around us. He has so much more to offer us that we can't even comprehend here on this earth. I see Him sitting back and smiling like we do as parents when our kids think they finally get it. I see Him smiling and saying, just wait, you haven't even begun to experience the depths of riches and blessings I have to give you. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. And thank you also for your encouraging words on my blog a few days ago.
Blessings,
Liz
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